weeble

Just wanted to revive this thread for 2009... I'm in psychology and am getting $30k for my first year and $19k for four subsequent years. From a large state school in a city with relatively low cost of living.

I went there for a recruitment weekend, so I didn't get much of a chance to check out neighborhoods. The city seems pretty nice though. I was looking at websites for apartment ratings, but it's so hard to judge. The people who post seem to either love it or hate it, and I don't know whose experience is the most typical. Yikes. I've been looking at tons of craigslist ads and I'll be enlisting some of the current students to help me figure out which places are good deals in good areas.

I took six years off and did nothing related to my field. And I was still accepted into two PhD programs and wait listed at two others. So time off is not a bad thing.

Hi there! I'm moving to Tempe in August from the Monterey Bay Area. I'm also looking for a place within either walking distance of campus or walking distance of a bus or light rail stop. Maple Ash seems like a decent area. I'm not opposed to big apartment complexes though. Sometimes they can be easier to deal with long distance. What department will you be in?

I just wanted to weigh in quickly regarding the GRE quant. I was accepted to two programs and waitlisted at three others with a 650 quant score. After studying for MONTHS. I just don't test well on math. So don't give up hope.

My school sent paper forms too, and wanted them faxed.

I'll be joining msphdhopeful at ASU!

Whew! Finally made a decision. I'll be attending ASU! Yay!

I'm accepted into the social psychology program at ASU and have not yet received my formal funding offer. They're still waiting to see how some fellowships and grants pan out.

Is it better to send thank you cards or thank you emails? I was going to send a card and small gift to the students who arranged the whole visit and hosted me, and then send thank you emails to the faculty that I met with. What do you all think?

Ditto. Thanks for saying this.

I wasn't referring to physical safety, although there are many college campuses (campuses as a whole, not departments) where GLBT students are frequently physically threatened and assaulted. In fact, I decided not to apply to a particular program because approximately 25% of GLBT students on campus had been physically threatened and more than 80% were afraid to be out because of this. I was referring more to feeling safe from discrimination - i.e. knowing I wouldn't be passed up for an assistantship because I was gay, or treated as a second class citizen, or unable to be "out." I am more than happy to be challenged on how I research GLBT issues or to have my methodology critiqued or my point of view challenged. I'm fully prepared to go through my whole academic and professional career struggling to make my voice heard. I'm simply saying that some issues are so sensitive that for someone who is, for example, homophobic, that it might be difficult for them to critique my methodology without criticizing the subject I was researching. I'm not saying that is always the case, I'm just saying that it can happen.

I'm in a similar situation with Penn State. I interviewed at the end of January and still haven't heard a decision. I'm visiting two other schools over the coming week and a half. I figure if I haven't heard from Penn by the time those visits are over I'll email or call them.

Well, just to throw another example into this, I'll be studying GLBT issues in psychology, so being in a department that has similar political views on gay/lesbian issues is essential to me. This is another area where personal feelings and religious views often influence academic work. Not to mention that, as a queer person, I wouldn't feel safe in an environment that didn't have an open mind towards the GLBT community. I don't think this is about avoiding challenge and simply having my views "approved and reinforced," rather I agree with those who are simply looking for an environment that will allow their voice to be heard, and not suppressed.

This week is finals week for UC Davis. Next week is Spring break. Shouldn't make a difference for grad admissions (I would think) since the administration only has one day (March 27th) off. Maybe folks who still haven't heard are wait listed?